A dead body floating in a canal and identified as Colin Mitchell has the sign of a local loan shark (Trevor Riley) cut into its arm. In addition to Riley, suspects include his blowsy wife Donna and his neighbourhood watch enthusiast dad. Alex is told by telephone that her decision not to turn corrupt is jeopardising the outcome of her operation but believes that the bullet has been removed and she will soon return. Shaz and Chris' relationship is off again on again. Set against the rise of 1980s 'greed is good' consumerism.